Arsène Wenger has warned Arsenal to expect a footballing test as well as a physical challenge when Mick McCarthy brings Wolverhampton Wanderers side to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

While Arsenal have their sights set on the top four after bouncing back from the 1-0 defeat at Manchester City with an away win at Aston Villa, Wolves are scrapping for every point to stay clear of being dragged into another relegation battle.

Wenger has the utmost respect for the job McCarthy is doing, under what have been testing circumstances following criticism from some sections of the Molineux crowd this season.

"Mick McCarthy is doing miracles at Wolves," Wenger said in his programme notes for the match, which was delayed by 24 hours due to a strike on the London Underground. "He is always ready for a fight, never gives up, keeps his steadiness and mental strength, never shows any strain. It is great what he does for his club. I believe they play extremely good football as well."

Wenger had been impressed by McCarthy's mental toughness. "It demands special strength from the manager to fight until the last day with the uncertainty sometimes whether you will stay up," he said. "A manager needs to be cool-blooded, strong, resilient and Mick McCarthy has all of these qualities."

Arsenal have won eight of their last 10 league games to turn the season around and close back to within striking distance of the top four. The Gunners produced another impressive display to secure all three points at Villa Park last Wednesday night, with Yossi Benayoun coming off the bench to head a late winner. The Israeli midfielder, on loan from Chelsea, has yet to start in the Premier League this season, but Wenger believes a collective team ethic runs deep within the current group.

"[The Aston Villa result] showed the importance of the squad, but also the quality of the spirit," Wenger said. "You always have a chance because teams have to fight so hard against us that in the last 20 minutes fresh players can have a big impact."

The Switzerland defender Johan Djourou could return from a minor groin problem, while Wenger must also decide whether to rest his captain, Robin van Persie, who is close to breaking the Premier League goals record for a calendar year. With 34 goals he is two short of Alan Shearer's record.

The Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards is in contention to return after a two-game absence with a groin injury. Sylvan Ebanks-Blake is favourite to again partner Steven Fletcher in attack after scoring against Norwich City when preferred to Kevin Doyle.